This market has been a regular fixture in Victor Harbor for 30 years and is usually set up spreading along the esplanade, but on the Sunday just past, the organisers tried something different as a one off and instead around 76 stall holders stretched along the main shopping strip – Ocean Street.

What a success it was too even though the weather tried to send a bit of everything in one day, the atmosphere was terrific and plenty of people turned out to show support. Another bonus was that many of the shops along Ocean Street were open and also had market goers dropping in for a visit.

The market venue change was being trialed especially to offer a bit more shelter from the usual wintery weather and it worked well with plenty of undercover areas along the street to get away from the inclement weather. We were lucky in the time we visited with the weather being pretty perfect for a stroll along this usual one way street which was blocked off to traffic, aside from one cross over street. As well as the market stalls of arts and crafts there were musicians and buskers and the local radio station broadcasting from the event all adding to the festive mood.

The food on offer catered for all tastes and budgets too with traders set up in caravans bringing everything you could possibly want for breakfast through to lunch, sausage sizzles to gourmet burgers and even desserts to indulge in. Dogs were catered for too with an onsite grooming van set up and doggy treats to buy.

This was a one off event to encourage people to head to the market in winter but who knows, with around triple the amount of stallholders than usual for this time of year it may become a regular event and draw people into the heart of the shopping district.

The Victor Harbor Beachside Market is held on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of every month with the next one scheduled for the 13^th of September on the Esplanade. The market runs from 9am to 3pm so mark it in your calendar, bring your cash and an appetite.

Cheers

Glenys